Linotype-machine.



M. FRENCH.

LINQTYPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.30| I9I6.

Patel med Nov. 20, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Witnesses q Inventor W b 1 Eff/W y I I Attorneys.

M. FRENCH. UNOTYPE MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. so, 1916.

Patnted Nov. 20, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Witnesses M. F H. IUNOTYP HINE.

A PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP 6. I

Patented Nov. 20, 1917. 4 ssssss S EEEE 4.

MORRIS FRENCH, or WAco, TEXAS.

LINOTYPE-IVIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedNov. 20, 191 '7.

Application filed September 30, 1916. Serial No. 123,086.

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Monnis FRENCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waco, in the county of McLennan and State of Texas, have invented new and useful improvements in Linotypeltfachines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to linotype machines, such as are used for producing lines of type, and it is the object of the in vention to provide a comparatively simple, small, inexpensive and compact machine of that character generally resembling a typewriter in its construction and operation, and operable to produce lines of type.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a linotype machine of the nature indicated embodying a rotatable cylin der having grooves or slots to receive molten lead from the lead pot, in combination with matrix wheels cooperable with the lead holding cylinder and key operated means for setting said wheels one at a time progressively, whereby the matrices are brought into position to form a line of words, the matrices being brought against the lead in one slot or groove of the cylinder whereby to produce the faces of the type, the line of type constituting a solid slug which is subsequently ejected.

It is also the object of the invention to provide improved. features of construction and operation in a machine of the nature indicated, to enhance the utility and eiiiciency thereof. and to simplify the operation, in

order that a typewriter operator can readily operate the present machine.

-k further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for justifying the lines when the words do not completely fill the line. or when there is a space or gap at the right hand end of the line.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed. it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from thespirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein V Figure l is a plan View of the machine,

portions being removed and shown in section.

B g. 2 1s a vertical longitudinal section, portions being shown in elevation and others be ng broken away.

Fig. 3 is a detail viewillustrating one-of,

the matrix wheel hubs in side elevation' Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailview illustrating a line of matrices in position for producing the line of type.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the operating means for turning the lead hold ing cylinder step-by-step and for raising said cylinder to bring the lead against the matrices.

Fig. 6 is a. detail view illustrating the device for returning the lead ejectors to the righthand ends of the lead grooves or slots.

Fig. Tie a detail view illustrating the shield for holding the molten lead in the grooves of the cylinder after flowing therein from the lead pot.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail of the parts shown in Fig. 7, and illustrating the nozzle of the lead pot and one lead holding groove of the cylinder in register therewith to receive the molten lead. Fig. 9 is a perspective View, portions beingbroken away, illustrating the shift key operated device for changing from small to lower case characters to large or upper case characters.

Fig. 10 is a. perspective view of one of the blank matrices.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the left hand or delivery end of the lead holding cylinder and the trough or chute for catching the lines of type or leads when i ejected.

F 12 is a perspective view illustrating the device for advancing and retracting the lead ejectors. V 1

Fig. 13 is a. detail ,view1llustrating the cam for operating the device which oscilcrumed, as at 3, to the rear portion of the main frame, the frame 2 projecting forwardly, and carrying a lead pot 4. A lead holding cylinder 5 disposed transversely of .the machine, has terminal trunnions 5 mounted for rotation in the forward free lates the drum for returning the matrix iwi . with portion of the frame 2, and said cylinder is provided with an annular series of longitudinal radial lead holding grooves or slots 6 having their left hand ends open and their right hand ends closed, as at 7. The lead pot a has an elongated nozzle 8 fitting the periphery of the cylinder 5 whereby the grooves 6 register one at a time in succession with said nozzle, whereby the molten lead flows from the pot through the nozzle 8 into the grooves 6 as the cylinder 5 is turned step-by-step. The lead in the pot 4 is melted by means of a heater 9 of any suitable sort, which may be a hydrocarbon lamp or an electrical heater. Carried by the nozzle 8 is an arcuate shield 10 fitting snugly against the periphery of the cylinder for preventing the lead from spilling or running from the groove until the groove is moved upwardly to uppermost position. The shield 10 is provided at the left hand end of the cylinder 5 with a wing 11 overlapping said end of the cylinder and closing the left hand ends of the grooves 6 containing molten lead, that is, the groove 6 which is in register with the nozzle 8, and the uppermost groove 6. Lead ejectors 13 are slidable within the grooves 6 and are normally at the right hand ends of said grooves to define the right hand ends of the lines of type or slugs S, said ejectors projecting from the cylinder 5 in order that they can be operated.

' Mounted for oscillation above the cylinder 5 is a transverse cylindrical drum 14;, having one end mounted for rotation upon a transverse stationary shaft or rod 15, and having its right hand end mounted for rotation upon a tubular shaft 16 which is in turn mounted for rotation upon the rod 15. A plurality of matrix wheels 17 are disposed side by side within the drum 1% and their peripheries are disposed snugly within the drum to hold said wheels concentric. The periphery of the drum is provided with arcuate slots 18, and the peripheries of the wheels 17 each have an arcuate series of radial resilient stems or shanks 19 projecting therefrom through the respective slot 18 in which said shanks are movable. The free ends of the shanks of each matrix wheel are provided with a set of matrices 20 arranged in any suitable order, the matrices of the various sets being alike. The hubs 21 of the wheels 17 are adapted to snugly fit the tubular shaft 16. and are provided arcuate slots 22. while the shaft 16 is provided with a radial lug 23 movable in said slot-s, from one matrix wheel to another for setting said wheels. as will hereinafter more fully appear. When the matrix wheels are in initial or starting position, the slots 22 are all in registration or coincide with one another. and the sets of matrices are all in starting position, as seen in Fig. 2.

As a means for yieldably holding the matrix wheels when returned to initial or starting position, each wheel is provided in its periphery with a notch 24 with which a spring pressed detent 25 is engageable, or any other suitable means can be provided for this purpose.

As a means for advancing the tubular matrix wheel setting shaft 16 stepby-step, a carriage 26 slidable along a guide or track 27 of the main frame 1, has the right hand end of the shaft 16 swiveled thereto, whereby said shaft 16 is moved lon itudinally of itself with the carriage 26, any suitable swivel joint being used as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. A tape, 28 is attached to the carriage 26 and is wound upon a spring pressed drum 29 whereby there is a tendency to move the carriage 26 and shaft 16 to the right, but this is ordinarily prevented by an escapement mechanism controlled by the keys, whereby the carriage 26 moves to the right step-by-step, in the manner of an ordinary typewriter carriage. Thus, a lever 30 is fulcrumed, as at 31, to the carriage 26,.and is disposed atthe righthand end of the drum 11-, being provided with a horizontal transverse rack or rack bar 32 projecting to the left, and normally engaging upon a pinion attached to an escapement wheel 34:. A double dog 35 is co operable with the escapement wheel 31-. and has connected thereto a suitable stirrup or device 36 operated by each of the key levers 37 of the machine, whereby when any of the keys 38 is depressed, the dog 35 will be operated to permit the carriage to advance one step after the key is again raised to normal position. The key levers 37 are fulcrumed to the frame 1 in any ordinary manner.

As a means for automatically oscillating the drum 14 when the carr age is returned to the left to starting position, for returning the matrix wheels to starting position, the rack bar 32 is provided with a cam 39 cooperable with a lever 10, when the lever 30 is raised to raise the rack bar 32 out of engagement from the pinion 33. The lever i0 is fulcrumed to the main frame at 11, and its lower arm is normally above the path of the cam 39, whereby said cam can move to the right without operating the lever 40. When the line is completed, and the. lever 30 raised to release the rack bar 32 from the .escapement mechanism. said lever 30 is moved to the left to return the carriage and shaft 16 to starting position, and when the lever 30 is so moved. and the rack bar 32 raised, the cam 39 will in its movement to the left engage and oscillate the spring pressed lever 10. first moving said lever in ore direction and then permitting it to move in the opposite direction under the influence of its spring 11'. A rack bar 42 is pivotally or otherwise connected with the upper arm of the lever 40 and is held wheel 43 secured upon the left hand hub or end of the drum 14, whereby when the lever 40 is moved by the cam 39, the rack 42 will r0- tate the gear wheel 43 whereby to rotate the drum 14 counter clockwise as seen in Fig. 2. and as the cam 39 leaves the lever 40, the spring 41 moves said lever and rack bar in the opposite direction, whereby to return the drum to initial positionby aclockwise rotation thereof, as seen in Fig. 2.

Attached to the carriage 26 is an arm 44 projecting toward the cylinder 5 opposite the lead pot 4, and said arm 44 has a lug 45 engageable with the respective ejector 13 when the carriage is returned to the left, whereby to move said ejector to the left for ejecting the lead or line of type from the corresponding groove 6. Said arm 44 has a lug 46 spaced to the left from the lug 45 to engage the ejector 13 upon the movement of the carriage to the right, whereby to return said ejector to the right hand end of the groove. The lugs 45 and 46 are spaced apart, whereby the ejector-s 13 can move thorcbetween easily, and should the carriage not be moved to the right the full length of a line, so that the lug 46 does not move the ejector completely to the right hand end of the groove 6, the ejector will subsequently be moved to position after it leaves t e arm 44, by means of a spiral cam 47. Thus, as the cylinder 5 is rotated step-bystep to remove the ejectors 13 from between the lugs 45 and 46, said ejectors will be returned to the right hand ends of the grooves 6 by the cam 47. Any suitable chute or trough 47 can be used for catching the leads or lines of type as they are ejected from the grooves 6, said trough or chute being disposed at the left hand end of the cylinder 5 and being mounted in any suitable manner. The device for oscillating the shaft 16 as it moved step-by-step, for properly setting the matrix wheels, embodies a transverse cylinder or drum 48 disposed at the right hand end. of the drum14 and mounted for rotation in any suitable manner within the frame 1. A gear wheel 49 is secured to the left hand end of the cylinder 48 and meshes with a gear wheel 50 feathered upon the shaft'16, said gear wheel 50 remaining at the right hand end of the drum 14, while the sha t 16 is moved back and forth, but

the shaft 16 is rotated with the gear wheel 50. The cylinder 48 is provided with a spiral stop flange 51 projecting from its periphery, and the cylinder 48 is'returned to normal or starting position by a spring tension, such as by a tape 52 attached to the periphery thereof and adapted to be wound upon said cylinder and unwound from a spring pressed drum 53, whereby when the cylinder 48 is free to return to normal potional only. A transverse plate 54 isrcar-v ried by the frame 1 below the cylinder 48, and a trz-insversc' row of vertical stop rods 55 have their "upper terminals projecting through an opening 55 in the plate 54, said rods sliding loosely through a transversel guide bar 56 carried b y the frame 1 in-any suitable manner. The lower ends of the rods 55 rest upon the rear terminals of the key levers 37, whereby the various rods55 are operated by the proper keys.

of the key levers is raised when any one of said levers is operated, and when the bar 57 is raised, it raises a pair of rods 58 which slide through the plate 54 at the opposite ends of the cylinder 48, and the upper ends of which engage arms 59 attached to the ends of the cylinder 48, whereby when any one of the key levers is operated, the rods 7 58 being raised, will swing the arms 59, to

rotate the cylinder 48. Vvhen the cylinder '18 is thus rotated, one of the stop rods 55 is also raised in the path of the stop flange 51, and the cylinder 48 i therefore stopped after being turned through an arc of prede tea-mined proportions.

The matrices 20 of each set have small or lower case characters and large or upper case characters, which alternate, and as a means for changing from lower to upper case characters, and vice versa, means is provided for shi 'ting the stop rods 55 from one position to another. Thus, a shift plate 60 is slidable forwardly and rearwa-rdly upon the supporting plate 54 and the upperterminals of the rods slide through apertures in the plate 60, said plate 60 having forwardly projecting extensions 61 at its ends pivoted to arms 62 carried by rock shaft 63 supported by the plate 54. Gnc of the arms 62 forms a part of a bell crank lever 64 which is connected by a link 65 with the lever 37 of the shift key, for changing from lower to upper case characters in the manner of an ordinary tj 'pewriter. When the shift key is released, its lever 37 being swung to normal position, will pull the link 65 downwardly, thereby moving the plate 60 forwardly, said plate being held in its foremost position, whereby the rods 55 in being raised will by stopping the flange 51 stop the matrix wheels with the lower case characters in position above the cylinder 5, whereas if the link 65 is raised by the de- "pression of the shift key lever, the plate 60 A trans-lverse bar 57 resting upon the rear terminals is shifted rearwardly, whereby the matrix wheels will be advanced one-half step farther, to bring the upper case characters into position.

As a means for operating the cylinder 5, a ratchet wheel 56 is secured to the right hand trunnion 5 thereof, and is engaged by a pawl (57 pivoted to a lever 68 fulcrumed to the frame 2, at 69. The lever 68 is connected by a link 70 with an operating lever 71 fulcrumed to the frame 1 at the key board, as at 7:2, and provided with a finger piece 73, which when depressed, vvill push the link 70 rearwardly and swing the lever 68 to advance the pawl 67, whereby to rotate the ratchet wheel 66 ans the cylinder 5 one step.

The cylinder 5 is raised to bring the lead against the matrices, after the cylinder is rotated one step by the depression of the finger piece 73, and for this purpose, the lever 74 has an eccentric cam 75 pivoted as it 76 to the main frame 1 below the swing- "ng frame 2 and supporting said frame 2, nd a link 77 connects the lever 74 with a ver 78 also fulcrumed, as at 7:2, adjacent the lever 71 and provided with a tappet adapted to be engaged by the lever 71 after it is swung to rotate the cylinder 5 one step, the further movement of the lever 71 'not advancing the cylinder 5 beyond its proper position, due to the fact that the pawl (37 will slip out of engagement with the tooth of the ratchet wheel 68. Thus, after the lever 71 is swung to rotate the cylinder one step, the lever 78 is swung to rotate the cam 75 for raising the frame 2 and cylinder 5 to make the impression of the matrices in the lead, to produce the faces of the type.

The lines are justified through the medium of the blank matrices 20, having the heads 80 at the ends of the shanks 19. The heads 80 and end portions of the shanks 19 are bifurcated or split, as at 81, in the planes of the matrix wheels, whereby the sections of the heads 80 can separate longitudinally of the drum 1% and cylinder 5 for enlarging the spaces etween the words. Each head 80 is provided with a t -shaped recess 82 between its sections formed by the split 81, and a wedge 83 is fitted in the recess 82 flush with the forward and rear sides of the head 80 to be capable of snugly entering the slot 6 of the cylinder The wedge 83 of each head 80 has a finger 8-1 attached thereto and projecting forwardly to bear upon the cylinder 5 in front of the groove 6 when the blank matrix is brought into position above said groove. The wedge 88 is prevented from falling out of the head 80 by a pin 85 carried by the head 80 and extending through a slot 86 with which the wedge 83 is provided, said pin and slot permitting of the movement of the Wedge and the movement of the sections of the head away from and toward one another. The fingers 8a are resilient but sutliciently still in order that when the cylinder 5 is raised, the cylinder in contacting with the fingers 84: will force the wedges 83 upwardly, thereby sep arating the sections of the heads 80, for separating the matrices forming the words of a line, whereby the matrices of the line are expanded longitudinally to completely fill the line, should there be a space at the right hand end of the line. The matrix at the left end of the line is adjacent to the wing 11, and is prevented from moving to the left, but the matrices can be shifted to the right, due to the resiliency and flexibility of the shanks 19, until the right hand matrix is brought against the ejector 12 which defines the right hand end of the lead or slug. i 1

in operation, let it be assumed that the matrix wheels are in initial or starting position, with the carriage 26 in similar posi tion, the operator then depresses the keys 38 in proper succession to set upthe line. When the first key is depressed, the respective key lever 87 is operated to raise the respective stop roo 55 and to rotate the cylinder 4:8 until its flange 51 is brought against the raised rod 55, The cylinder e18 being rotated will transmit the motion by means of the gear wheels 49 and to the tubular shaft 16, and the lug 23 of the shaft 16 being moved through an arc will contact with the respective end of the slot 22 of the first matrix wheel 17, thereby turning said matrix wheel a predetermined amount to bring the proper matrix thereof into position above,

the cylinder 5. Then, as the key is released,

. the respective rod will drop, and the cylinder 48 is returned back to starting position under the influence of the spring means 53, and this will also return the shaft 16 to normal position, the first matrix wieel 17 being left in its turned position by friction and the pressure of the detent 25. After the lug :23 is brought back to normal position, the escapement mechanism permits the carriage to move one step, to bring the lug 23 within the slot 22- of the second hub 21. The next key 38 is then depressed, which will turn the second matrix wheel the proper distance to bring the corresponding matrix into position, and so on. The line is thus set up, and when the shift key is depressed, so as to raise the link 65., the plate being shifted rearwardly, will permit the cylinder 18 to rotate one-half step farther when the character key levers are operated, whereby the matrix wheels are moved one-half steps farther, thus bringing the upper case or large characters into position instead of the lower case or small characters. When the spacing key is operated, the blank matrices 20 are brought into position, they L'Ji normally being removed slightly trom the uppermost portion or" the .fcylinder 5, as seen 1n Fig. Thus, vas the keys 3-8 are depressed in succession, the successive matrix wheels,

i: be necessary. but this is provided for by the blank matrices of the line, as -will hereinafter appear. After the line has been set up, .the operator depresses the finger piece 73, so that the cylinder. 5 is first rotated one step, which will bring that groove 6 which registers with the lead nozzle 8 to uppermost position below the line of matrices, thus bringing the molten lead from-the nOZ- zle S to position underneath the. line of matrices previously set, and at the Same time, the lead of the groove aheadzis moved forwardly to bring its ejector 13 between the lugs 45 and 46 of the arm 44. The first depression of the finger piece 73 thus-rotates the cylinder 5 one step .to bring a groove of molten lead into place, and the completion of the depression of the finger piece 73 swings the lever 7 8 so as to raise the irame 2 and cylinder lVrhen the cylinder 5 .is first raised, it contacts with the fingers 84 immediately, thereby raising the wedges 83 to separate the sections of the heads ,of the blank matrices, if necessary, to. enlarge the spaces between the words, whereby the line is justified, and the right hand matrix 20 brought into contact with the respective ejector 12, which will limit the further .upward movement of the wedges 83,;and the upper edge of the lead ist'hen brought into engagement with the matrices, producing the impression in the lead and form ingthe faces of the line of type, the wedges 83 in entering the lead serving to assist in the flowing of the lead into the depressions or cavities of the character matrices. The finger piece 73 is then released, this operation being quickly done by simply depressing the lever 73 and releasing it, and the cylinder 5 will then gravitate to remove the lead from the matrices, and the pawl 67 will be returned for a subsequent operation. The operator then raises the lever to release the rack bar 32 from'the pinion 33, and the carriage 26 is returned to starting position at the left hand side, thus returning the shaft 16 to starting position also. When the lever 30 is raised, the cam 39 is raised into position, to engage the lever 40, and during the return movement of the carriage 26 and rack bar 32, the cam 39 will swing. the, lever 40, whereby vthe .drum 14 is first rotated counter clockwise as seen in Fig. 2, and then clockwise. Thus, .thedrum 14 in being rotated counter clockwise, will return the matrix wheels :to starting position, the respective .ends oftheslots :18 strike. ingthe shanks 19.0f the blank matrices, and.

all?

turning the matrix wheels, back to :initiad position, in which event the detents 25 will! snap into the notches 24, and when the matrix wheels are rotated back to normal position, the matrix wheels are held; Hi

initial position :for :the next operation. The. matrix wheels are thus automatically :re-

stored during the return movement of the.

carriage 26 Costa-rt a new line.) At the time that the carriage 26 is returned, the (lug $5 of arm 4% moves the ejector 1-3 of the previously formed line of type which has solidified in the meantime, and the ,ejectolr a3 is thrusmoued to thepleft, for ejecting the lead: or line of type trom the corresponding-J groove '6 into the troughior chutetif in which the leads or slugs are caught. The machine '15 now in pos tion for ;a new. oper: ation, to produce the succeeding line of type, and during the step-by-step movement j of the carr1age-26 .to the right, the lug .46 I

of the arm d4: carries the displaced ejector 13 back toward. the right hand end or :the corresponding groove .6. Then, when the cylinder 5 is given its next partial turn, said ejector 13 is brought into engagement with the spiral cam 47 which returns the ejectorsto the right :hand ends of thegrooves 6 as the cylinder ,5 is rotated. The .ejeotors 13 are thus returned into proper position v in order that they can pass the right hand end .of the lead nozzle :8. I The present machineican be operated in practically the same manner as an. iordinary typewriter, and provides a companativejly simple mechanism tfior producing linesv of.

type. The machine can :be manufactured,

at a much less expense than ordinary linotypes, and is cheaper in both installation operating expenses.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is:

1. A linotype machine embodying a plurality of sets of matrices, means coiiperable in succession with said sets of matrices for bringing them into position for setting up a line, a movable member having a lead holding groove, means for filling said groove with molten lead at one position of said member, means for moving said member to move'the groove from lead receiving position to position to cooperate with the set up line of matrices and then moving said member and matrices relatively to bring the matrices into engagement with the lead, means for ejecting the lead from said grooves after the matrices and lead have been brought into engagement, and. means for restoring the sets of matrices to normal position.

2. In a linotype machine, a plurality of sets of matrices, operating means movable step by step in one direction for operating the sets of matrices in succession to set up a line of matrices, means for restoring said matrices to normal position when said means is returned to starting position, a rotatable cylinder having lead holding grooves, means for filling said grooves with molten lead at one point, means for turning the cylinder to bring a filled groove into cocperation With a set up line of'matrices and to then move said matrices and cylinder toward one another to' bring the matrices and lead into engagement, and means operable for ejecting the lead from the grooves as said grooves are moved away from the matrices.

3. A linotype machine embodying a rotatable cylinder having radial lead holding grooves, a lead pot having a nozzle fitting said cylinder to supply molten lead to said grooves, a plurality of matrix Wheels mounted for rotation side by side and each having a set of matrices, key operated means for rotating said Wheels in succession to bring certain matrices into operative position, means for rotating the cylinder to bring the groove containing lead into position to cooperate with the matrices in operative position, means for moving the cylinder and matrices relatively to bring the matrices and lead into engagement for pro ducing the type face impressions, and means for ejecting the lead from the grooves after the impressions are made.

4. A linotype machine embodying a rotatable cylinder having radial lead holding grooves, a lead pot having a nozzle fitting said cylinder to supply molten lead to said grooves, a plurality of matrix Wheels mounted for rotation side by side and each having a set of matrices, key operated means for rotating said Wheels in succession to bring certain matrices into operative position, means for rotating the cylinder to bring the groove containing lead into position to cooperate With the matrices in operative position, means for moving the cylinder and matrices relatively to bring the matrices and lead into engagement for pro ducing the type face impressions, means for ejecting the lead from said grooves after the impressions are made, and means for restoring the matrix Wheels to initial position after the impressions are made.

5. A linotype machine embodying a mem her having a lead holding groove, sets of matrices movable into position to cooperate with said groove, each set including a bifurcated blank matrix having a Wedge therein, means for moving said member and matrices toward one another, and means for yieldably retarding said Wedges when the matrices and member are moved toward one another, so as to expand the lineof matrices.

6. A linotype machine embodying a member having a lead holding groove, sets of matrices movable into position to cooperate with said groove, each set of matrices including a blank matrix having a wedge for expanding it, means carried by said Wedge for en a in said member whereby when n h h r the member and matrices are moved toward one another, the Wedges expand the line of matrices to ustify the line before the matrices and lead are brought into engagement,

and means for moving the member and matrices toward one another.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

MORRIS FRENCH. Witnesses:

J. W'. BAKER, O. T. lVALLACE,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01' Patents, Washington, D. C. 

